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From: "Diane and Bob Buddenbohn" <>
Subject: Christmas Memories
Date: Sat, 4 Dec 1999 18:54:33 -0500


My favorite Christmas memories are of my Swedish grandfather. Herb (as he was known to friends) just loved Christmas. He talked to me sometimes about his beautiful homeland with streets so clean that water ran down them continuously. Grampa had a big smorgasbord every Christmas Eve. Family, friends and neighbors were all invited to the small Sumpter St. Flat where he and grandma resided. I remember him traveling by bus each year to retrieve some Swedish Pickled Herring. The distance was of no importance the quest was for the best Pickled Herring in NYC. There were fresh lunch meats and salads to buy, along with rye and deep dark pumpernickel bread..Dill pickles assorted cheeses and of course the herring adorned the table.Grandpa would encourage all to eat and naturally try this delicacy. I never did. Still though my best memory about Grandpas Christmas was his tree. Back in NYC in the sixties signs would cover the shopping areas with promises of trees 1.00 and up. Don't get ah!
ead of me now but I bet you all know how much grandpa paid for his tree without me saying a thing. This became a tradition in our family. How much would he pay for the tree this year? I smiled then at the scrawny little bush covered with a strand of large colored lights garland and tinsel he saved year to year..The precious ornaments were passed on to me, and .when I think back now I smile as I cherish those memories of family long gone .The memories of laughter the children's squeals of delight. and a gentler time filled with real family closeness and love. God Bless You my ancestors for the legacy of loving memories left behind. Merry Christmas Hogberg and Johanssons where ever you are. Bless you fellow searchers and may your holidays be filled with precious new memories as well as the old.


Diane Hogberg Buddenbohn

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